Proving confusing

There’s one statewide referendum voters will get to decide on Tuesday – if they can get through the 100-plus word interpretive statement that seems to do its best to muddle the issue.

The referendum will determine if the state can continue diverting money specifically designated for certain employee benefit funds. Such transfers
have occurred 22 times since 1993, with $5.4 billion paid by workers into unemployment funds and the like being used for other purposes.

But Anne Ruach Nicolas, executive director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, fears many voters will take a pass rather than wrestle with the interpretive statement.

The league’s telephone hotlines have been “”flooded” by callers looking for help, she said.

Comments

About Bob Jordan

Bob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.

I asked our local State Legislator about this confusing question because I work the election polls and am fairly intellegent but I couldn’t understand the question or the explanation. I know that a yes vote will be to have the state keep the funds in the appropiate accounts and not diverted to the general fund or other budget items. I was also told that I cannot tell voters this because it might be interpreted as my influencing the voter. Oh well, I hope the voters understand it. Maybe they will remember how Christie Whitman started “not putting a state matching funds in the State worker’s pension fund (ans every Go. since) and how big that bill is going to be to replace.

Thank You Hank!!! I am also worried now, that if we do vote yes it stops what is suppose to be replenished back into the funds. Will it start from this point on, and null-and-void the must replenish start-up in 2011? I think this is a double edged-sword!

About this Blog

A second look at news, and not-quite-news, on New Jersey, its politics and government, from the Statehouse Bureau of New Jersey Press Media.

Polls

During the past month, Gov. Chris Christie has been to several states for fundraisers and he is now in Mexico on a trade mission. Do you approve of all these travels?

No. He should stay home and focus on New Jersey’s problems.

Yes. His visits help raise the profile of New Jersey and can only help the state.

Yes. I think he would make a great president, and these visits help lay the groundwork for his candidacy.

No. He would make a terrible president and he should stop trying to dupe people into believing in him.

About the Authors

Bob JordanBob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.E-mail Bob

John SchoonejongenJohn Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.E-mail John

Michael SymonsMichael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."E-mail Michael